Originally Posted by
Tintin
Thanks. Let me know what you need to know. Specifically, here are my answers to your questions:
Budget: I am flexible. Prefer not to pay more than $3,000 per month for a 1-bedroom (or great studio). But open to consider any "good" place.
Accessibility: Like to use Metro, at least, at the initial stage of moving. I lived in NYC and Chicago for more than 20 years and so I am used to public transit and never owned a car. Will buy a car after moving to LA, but I have to learn "how to buy a car" and basic "car maintenance" before making the purchase. Covid-19 is changing everything, and I prefer not to use public transit. That's why Santa Monica is probably a desirable choice (over Culver City). Everything is within walking distance in Santa Monica.
Commuting Distance: As crazy as it sounds, this is my per-retirement break year
. Covid-19 helped me to make the decision. So no specific commuting, expect nice access to LAX. Santa Monica is a great choice because there are 2 or 3 Big Blue Buses to LAX.
Thanks for educating me about the lack of high-risk in Southern CA. It makes sense. There are few high-rise in San Diego downtown. They are about 25 stories high (not like 40-75 stories in NYC). Mostly condos. 2 or 3 rental buildings. I lived in one of them. It was a nightmare experience compare to living in NYC/Chicago.
Let me know if you have any suggestion/advice, or if you need any additional information. Many thanks indeed.
If you can, send a PM to
SFO777 first. He recently moved from CO to Southern California (LAX/SNA). He should be able to give you some advice. If needed, drop my name as well. He should remember who I am. And please ask nicely.
I have several questions that I need to ask further:
1. No offense - but how old exactly are you, i.e. are you in early retirement or actual retirement age?
2. How healthy are you?
3. Are you single or not?
I understand it sounds discriminatory. But based on what you provided so far, Santa Monica does not seem to be a suitable place for you, mainly due to your age.
Santa Monica is literally walking distance away from the Pacific Ocean. Because of such proximity, it will be humid and salty. To mature persons, the weather can make them feeling discomfort.
Also, how healthy you are affects your travel distance, due to doctor visits and check-ups. Santa Monica is not exactly known for that. So you may have to cross town to get things done.
Santa Monica is not exactly close to the airport (Venice is closer). In fact, Santa Monica is one of the worst city for going to LAX due to lack of alternative (as you have to stuck in I-405, the worst freeway in the entire CA).
So feel free to tell us more. But at the mean time, I would suggest you check out the San Gabriel Valley. Guilty as charged - I am Chinese. But the Valley has some good characters: low crime rates, convenience, good environment. Personally, I would prefer the Valley over the Ocean.